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Below (top row L to R) Derek Leckenby, Murray the K, Karl Green. (Bottom) Barry Whitwam, Herman, Keith Hopewood |
Hermits are supposed to be crabby old men with long beards who live in caves and throw rocks at birds and children. Herman's Hermits are friendly, young, probably don't shave more often than twice a week, they were staying at a hotel when we met them, and there were no reports of any stones birds or children while the group was in town. So why are they called Hermits we wondered? According to their press agent, the story goes like this, and we quote: "The name Herman's Hermits came about in a rather strange way. It seems lead singer, whose real name is Peter Noone, resembles a character on the "The Bullwinkle Show" named Sherman. With music on everybody's mind Sherman was mistaken for Herman so he was thusly christened. Why hermits? What else could go with Herman? We could think of few others . . . like Hangnails, or Herringbones, or Heartburn, or even Humdingers. Anyway, Herman's Hermits were discovered by Mickie Most, who's second only to Brian Epstein in bringing forth England's newest and hottest rock 'n' roll talent (Including the Animals and the Nashville Teens). Within a mere 9 months they became one of the best known groups in Northern England and instituted "Hermania" among a large following of ardent fans. The present line-up has been together for less than a year. Herman joined them when they were called the Heartbeats. The group was playing at a youth club that Herman frequented. One night they needed a singer. Herman stepped in and sang and hasn't looked back. The personnel of the group has changed around a bit since it's formation. Karl Green (bass guitar) is the only member of the original group. As people left, Barry Whitwam (drums) was the first to join, then Derek "Lek" Leckenby (lead & Rhythm guitar) and last Keith Hopwood (lead & rhythm guitar). The group was brought to the attention of independent record producer Mickie Most. He traveled to see them at a concert in Bolton, was immediately impressed by their stage show and signed them to a recording contract. He did however point out many of their faults and the boys have tremendous confidence in him. In fact, he saw them, signed them, recorded them and got the record released in the space of three weeks. Mickie Most was completely responsible for the choice of material on the debut disc by Herman's Hermits, "I'm Into Something Good". It became a hit on boths sides of the Atlantic ocean. Shortly after their record clicked, the boys made a brief appearance in America for TV appearances and a press conference and a very swinging party in their honor at at New York City's famed Peppermint Lounge. Your intrepid editors, eager to get all the facts on this new British group, spent many hours with them - especially at that wild party at the Peppermint Lounge. The day after the party, boy editor Don Paulsen, alert and clear-eyed after just three hours of sleep, dragged himself out of his office, and made the perilous four block journey through New York City traffic, to the Hermits' hotel for the press conference. Teen-aged reporters from high school newspapers filled the room. Gathered in one corner were a few older (like, in their late teens and early twenties) reporters and editors from fan magazines. Herman and the Hermits finally entered the room, Paulsen sat next to Herman, turned on his tape recorder and fell asleep as everyone else started asking questions. |
